Yakiya

Had an amazing first experience at Yakiya tonight! Stopped by to check out their fantastic bourbon selection, then stayed to sample the delicious a la carte menu at the bar. Each dish was unique with memorable flavors. Servers were attentive and knowledgeable with good recommendations for food & drinks. Classy but relaxed atmosphere. Going back next week to try the prix fixe dinner menu with my wife. If you enjoy bourbon, Japanese whiskey or Asian fusion cuisine, you should stop by.

7/29/2025 - Dine LA Week brought us to Yakiya in Pasadena - It is one of the best deals for this kind of multi-course lunch or dinner menu at a nice ambient environment. The presentation and taste of each dish earns 5 stars except for SRF American Wagyu (Short Rib) that is too chewy, per our excellent waiter, Aeko, sometimes, it is very good depending on the part of the Wagyu. Of course, A5 KAGOSHIMA RIBEYE & POACHED EGG may earn a Michelin star dish. Adding Garlic Miso Bone Marrow for $15 to Wague Garlic Rice is worth it - the best we have had. Again, Aeko delivered an excellent service for us. Yakiya has a free WiFi access as well as a shared huge parking lot for free. In summary, this DineLA menu will be a perfect fine dining menu if the SRF American Wagyu (Short Rib) can be replaced with either a high-quality sashimi or sushi.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Yakiya restaurant which left me utterly impressed. Despite the higher price point, every dish in the 15-course prefixed menu was a revelation of flavors and culinary mastery. Each course was meticulously crafted, showcasing the chef's expertise and dedication to quality ingredients. The service was exemplary; Lester, our server, deserves special commendation. Despite the restaurant being busy, he managed everything with grace and ensured that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. His attentiveness and knowledge added to the overall charm of the evening. From the first bite to the last, every aspect of this dining experience was top-notch. If you're looking to indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine with impeccable service, this restaurant is a must-visit.

I had an incredible experience here. The service was attentive without being intrusive and every dish we had was perfectly executed.

One of the best meals I've had in years! Every bite was absolutely amazing. Service was impeccable. Will definitely be coming back!

This is the most unique and best Chinese restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. I had a 15 course dinner that was absolutely perfect. They should have at least one Michelin star. The courses are different than I’ve ever eaten in any similar restaurant.

Had an absolutely incredible dining experience at Yakiya in Pasadena with my hubby! From start to finish, everything was outstanding — the food, the service, and the entire atmosphere felt so high-end and luxurious. Even the restroom was top-tier, which says a lot about the attention to detail here. A huge shoutout to Jordan and Teejay for making our night even more special. Each course was perfectly crafted, and the quality of the meat was unbelievable — it literally melts in your mouth like butter. Every bite was a dream. If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!

We had a great time here for my friend's birthday. We had the back room for our whole party. Ive been to the hacienda heights location a few times and this experience at Pasadena has been the best so far.

My party of 5 went for Dine LA at 8:30 PM. Tons of parking in the plaza, and the restaurant is easy to find. We waited around 15 minutes after our reservation to get seated. The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable, lighting dim and music was calm. Classy vibes but great for conversation. The Dine LA set menu consists of 11 courses: A5 Japanese Wagyu tartare, nori ribeye tartare, abalone chawanmushi, miso chilean sea bass, SRF American Wagyu beef tongue, SRF American Wagyu short rib, ponzu tomato salad (watermelon radish shimeji soaked in 3 hr honey), wagyu garlic rice paired with oxtail broth, A5 Kagoshima ribeye (yakiniku, poached egg), yuzu cheesecake Since my business partners came straight from China, I was worried that they wouldn't be full after the first 3 courses because the plates were tiny. I ordered 2 more dishes off the menu: ribeye (4 pieces) and 6 fresh oysters, and we were all pretty full by the time dessert came. If you have a big appetite, I'd recommend ordering 1-2 more items off the menu, but I couldn't even finish the wagyu garlic rice in the middle. My absolute favorites were the sea bass and beef tongue. Although I don't consume beef tongue on the regular, this one was out of the world!!! I'm not a big fan of beef tongue either but it was perfectly chewy and cooked really, really well. Everything was cooked really well, the servers really know what they're doing. Honestly, I could skip the oysters because even though they tasted good, they weren't amazing like the meats. Our server coursed out the meals *perfectly*, leaving ample time between the next dish, but not too long that we felt like we were waiting for our food. We ate over the course of 2 hours, leaving around 10:20 PM and I think this restaurant is perfect for business meals. All of us felt like the time flew by. We were relaxed and having such great conversations as the courses came and went. It was an ebb and flow type of dinner, and I enjoyed every bit of the vibes and the food. The servers here are all amazing and kind. Service is exceptional. I'm definitely coming back and introducing more people to this restaurant. Next time, I'll try another tasting menu of theirs. I highly recommend coming here for Dine LA, it's a perfect introduction to what their restaurant has to offer.

We had a fantastic meal the food was excellent and the service was really good. Our top favorites were the uni with caviar (absolutely luxurious), the wagyu tartare, and the melt-in-your-mouth A5 Kagoshima Ribeye. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was the pacing of the experience. It felt a bit rushed, almost like we were on a timer. The bill was brought out before our desserts arrived, which came off as a bit impersonal and took away from an otherwise special meal. That said, we'd still come back, just hoping for a more relaxed pace next time to truly savor the food and the environment.

7/29/2025 - Dine LA Week brought us to Yakiya in Pasadena - It is one of the best deals for this kind of multi-course lunch or dinner menu at a nice ambient environment. The presentation and taste of each dish earns 5 stars except for SRF American Wagyu (Short Rib) that is too chewy, per our excellent waiter, Aeko, sometimes, it is very good depending on the part of the Wagyu Chef gets. Of course, A5 KAGOSHIMA RIBEYE & POACHED EGG may earn a Michelin star dish. Adding Garlic Miso Bone Marrow for $15 to Wague Garlic Rice is worth it - the best we have had. Again, Aeko delivered an excellent service for us, and his timing for each cource arrival is perfect. Yakiya has a free WiFi access as well as a shared huge parking lot for free. In summary, this DineLA menu will be a perfect fine dining menu if the SRF American Wagyu (Short Rib) can be replaced with either a high-quality sashimi or sushi. Note: A 43-second video for this tasting menu is available on YouTube or TikTok.

Excited to try this place for the dinela menu. The decor was and ambience was upscale but parts of the service felt needed fine tuning. They noted on our reservation card that we were celebrating my sisters bday but at the end of the meal didn't do anything special what so ever which I thought was odd. Why ask and note and then nothing?! The courses start very very strong and they were very very tasty and I was very excited for the 11 course journey. But the time we got to the fried rice.. the food was not at the same level as the first 4 courses and I did NOT care for the poach egg wagyu dish or the oxtail soup which was overly seasoned dashi. I didn't even finished those courses and I finish everything at these kind of places. I'm glad I tried it but I think I got rid of the itch.

A little random cause I live in RH but yea...I came here for dinela deal and it was pretty worth. This is strictly for the dinela deal because $68 is honestly pretty good especially in merica'. They were super busy when we arrived on Sunday and everybody like us was there for the DineLA deal. Service was ok...it's ok though cause they were rightfully busy so it was understandable. While the DineLA is honestly pretty worth, prob won't be back for awhile unless there's some kind of deal like that. Did think the dessert was pretty bad...(that cheesecake) and the tomato that once was one of my favorite(and I know it's not that anymore) is prob one of the worst now.

Highly recommend their DineLA tasting menu. Kudos to the chef who create the tasting menu, they did a fantastic job. There's several small courses, but in the end we were filled and satisfied. This was our first time here and our waiter was Angelo and he was amazing and walked up through each course. We're so used to KBBQ that we tried cooking the first few meat ourselves, but honestly just let the waitstaff do it. Angelo timed just right for each meat and his tasted so much better than ours. We definitely had the fine dining experience here and I didn't feel the DineLA menu compromise my experience. It's a DineLA done right and had me wanting more. There are different reservations- regular, shabu, and DineLA during DineLA week. You'll have to scroll down their Opentable reservation page for the DineLA option. So make sure you select the correct one to make your reservation. If you prefer more of a quiet dining experience, the patio is more quiet compared to inside. The alcohol is well balanced and strong! We will definitely come back! This location is away from downtown pasadena area, so there's a large parking lot and it's free!

I've eaten here a few times for their weekend lunch menu. After being denied service today for their DineLA menu, I've decided never again. Despite being willing to accommodate me for their regular menu (seating available), the hostess told me I would need to use their reservation system for DineLA, which doesn't accept reservations for solo diners. After driving 25 minutes to dine here and being told that I could only be seated for their regular menu (higher spend) but turned away for the DineLA menu, it didn't make sense for me to continue patronizing a restaurant that makes a return customer drive *almost one hour* (round-trip) for absolutely nothing at all but bad vibes. Our time on this planet is limited; there's almost nothing I dislike more than someone completely wasting it. Never another cent Yakiya; I'm done with this place My silver lining is that I was fortunate enough to have dinner at a Michelin one star in Barcelona three nights ago and am dining at another Michelin one star in Los Angeles tomorrow. So this unfortunate blip won't kill the good vibes for long. It's just sad that you have to actually go upstream to Michelin caliber restaurants for quality service nowadays Since I won't be back, I'll post some photos of previous visits I never had a chance to post in the past

My husband and I have been wanting to try Yakiya for awhile now, and when we saw they had a Dine LA menu we thought it would be the perfect chance to finally try it for the first time. The ambiance of the restaurant was very moody and trendy on the inside, but honestly the music was really loud and it was really cold indoors also. We got sat outside on the patio which I preferred because it was more quiet, but our server said they don't usually seat people outside so I'm assuming when we went it was busier than usual. We had reservations and didn't get seated for about 20+ minutes after our booked time. I understand they were busy and were waiting for previous tables to leave, but my husband and I were starting to get antsy because we hadn't eaten for awhile to save our appetites for our dinner here. The manager made up for it and apologized - he comped our drinks which was really nice! The customer service here was great. The Dine LA menu had a good array of choices which I think really highlighted a lot of choices on their menu. I really liked the Beef Tongue and the Miso Chilean Sea Bass. The Wagyu Garlic Rice was good also! My husband and I enjoyed our whole meal and we'll definitely come back again!

My first wagyu omakase experience & definitely won't be my last. Yakiya will keep you coming back. Dinner Omakase - ribeye, skirt, A5 miyazaki chuck - bluefin tuna, hamachi - wagyu beef tongue - chawanmushi - A5 miyazaki wagyu strip loin w/ poached egg - wagyu ponzu jelly - filet mignon on bone marrow rice - ribeye tataki - local farmer's veggies, multigrain cracker - strawberry lemonade - lemon olive oil sorbet

A Truly Exceptional Family Dinner at Yakiya Pasadena My family and I, my wife, two kids, our parents, and Ihad a fantastic experience at Yakiya Pasadena. We opted for the Original Course (their celebrated chef's pre‑fixe menu), and it was a hit across all five of us! Food & Presentation From the first bite to the last, every dish showcased top-tier quality. The premium beef (both U.S. and Japanese cuts) arrived beautifully marbled and was expertly grilled right at our our table. It was thoughtfully paced, small enough to sample plenty, yet satisfying enough that we all left thoroughly full, just as other diners have noted . Pre-fixe Course Highlights We started with tantalizing raw dishes like the tartare with caviar and it set the tone for an elegant and elevated tasting journey. Each meat course was rich and flavorful, and even the bone marrow fried rice felt indulgent yet balanced. ‍‍‍ Family-Friendly Vibe Bringing both kids and grandparents can sometimes be tricky but not here. The intimate, dining room and attentive staff made the experience seamless for all ages. We appreciated how they made my children feel welcome and comfortable, while still delivering that upscale yakiniku experience. Service & Atmosphere Service throughout was outstanding. Our server guided us through each course thoughtfully, making sure everyone was happy and at ease. The combination of warm woods, leather accents, and a gentle hustle behind the scenes created a refined, welcoming space. Parking is plentiful so there is no need for valet parking.

Came here for Father's Day and parents liked it! And despite the small portions that come out at a time, we left full and satisfied. This time we got their new $78 tasting menu, as well as their $12 Matcha IPA (soooo bitter, dad was OK w it tho) and $9 Strawberry Lemonade (refreshing but prob wouldn't get again) This time around they made a good amount of changes to their menu. The most noticeable for me was the picanha switch from the filet mignon. I found the picanha to be more chewy than I would have liked, and because it's topped on the rice, it was hard to bite (our plates had already been swapped for bowls so we couldn't cut it). The extra yakiniku sauce to drizzle on top of the rice as well as the garlic bits were great tho. Things that were kept from previous menus include the beef tongue and scallion kosho which was one of my faves as well as the chawanmushi - hearty and oh so yummy. The lemon sorbet w/ basil oil and the cuts of meat that sit on plated nitrogen gas are all great too. Dad is usually not a fan of raw food items, but surprisingly really liked the starting tartare course! I was too, whilst mom had to ask for lemon to squeeze on which ended up also being tasty. The only main downside was the wait time in between portions - I think it's because of how busy it was - all the tables were taken and had to wait for our table for our reservation at 6:30pm (we were seated about 15 minutes after.) They asked for my dad's name and was hoping they would laser it onto the meringue cookie at the end like how they do for other occasions but that wasn't the case this time :,) Shout out to Team S for the smiles and thoughtful explanations and cooking! We left this place with a renewed appreciate for quality beef and various cuts :,)

I loved the overall vibe and experience of this place. If you are looking for AYCE, then go to Chubby Cattle. I made reservations online for a party of 3 to celebrate a bday and a graduation. They seated me earlier than expected and I was able to get a cocktail while I waited for the rest of my party to arrive. The interior is very modern, sleek, and pretty. The servers were very personable and approachable without any pretense, which I appreciate at such a nice atmosphere! I am willing to pay the money so I was able to relax as much and enjoy my time. We ordered the Original set for all 3 of us and ordered multiple rounds of their tasty cocktails. They let us take our time and ENJOY the meats. I spent $800+ on the 3 of us for a special occasion and it was well worth it. One of my friends compared it to Chubby Cattle, UM DON'T. This is not AYCE and you can taste it... also you can experience it, too! The cockails made by Sean were amazing. Service by Angelo and Tiffany were humble, attentive, and efficient. I will come back again. I've been to IWagyu which is somewhat comparable to this, but this place is definitely in a higher level in terms of service, ambiance, and quality of meets.

We enjoyed a lovely evening with friends at Yakiya. The 11 courses DineLA menu was superb and service was impeccable. The restaurant's elegant and beautifully designed interior added to the charm of the night. Special thanks to Eve and Jason for ensuring a memorable experience.

Amazing experience! We've gotten to try the original Hacienda Heights location as well as this newer Pasadena location and each occasion has been great. They specialize in an about a 15-course experience (if you're getting the original menu) including a variety of high quality meats, seafood, and palate cleansers. We were worried we weren't going to be filled since the dishes seem small at first, but there are just so many different courses we more than filled at the end. Presentation of the dishes were very unique with the server coming out to explain each ingredient as well as the proper way to eat it. One of my favorites included the A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Ribeye in a poached egg. Also at the end it was so cool they brought a bone marrow to make a unique rice mix, and then proceeded to give us a whisky shot with the leftover bone. The overall experience was fun and memorable, but note it was very long. Whole meal took about 2.5-3 hr to finish. Also it's quite pricey at $128/person. They do have a "seafood" alternate menu you can order but I wouldn't recommend it. You just don't get replacements that feel the same value (I.e scallops, shrimp vs A5 wagyu beef). It still costs the same as the original menu.

Came here via car for my birthday dinner in early March 2025. The parking lot was free with plenty of parking spaces. FYI, they will not seat you early if you come early. Service was great. Food was beautiful with lots of flavor. We went with the grilling prefix instead of the shabu version. Was not disappointed. They have this scallion sauce that was SO good! I love that they put yuzu in many of their dishes. We ordered a side of Crab Salad with our meal because my partner wasn't full yet. Plus, we needed the extra veggies. Make sure to bring GasX with you for this meal.

Brought hubby for his birthday last year and ordered the prix fixe dinner. I highly recommend Yakiya for special occasions. The spacious interior is modern, dark, and brooding. We enjoyed all of the courses aside from the bone marrow luge cuz the complementary whiskey was a bit harsh. Would like to return to try the hotpot and also the bar or lunch tasting menu.

ive been to the rowland heights locations in 2021, lets see how this new location and menu changes are after 2 years! r e s t r o o m s : once you open a stall, you are greeted by a full stacked bidet! personally dont need all the features but its nice to see one. handsoap was very nice and lux! 10/10 bathroom. f o o d : original tasting menu $128 overall a very well rounded meal with great service. nice variety of lean and fatty meats to unique sides! perfect for a special occasion cause they do a little extra something for you if you let them know ;) s e r v i c e : very attentive and social :3 p a r k i n g : plenty of space so no need to worry about searching for one. contrast to the rowland location.

It's been awhile since I've had fine dining and Yakiya definitely did not disappoint! Came here to celebrate my son and his mom's bday and from start to finish it was a fun and tasty experience going through all the courses! Everything tasted fresh, peak of their flavor and was cooked perfectly. Highly recommended and will definitely be back

service is always exceptional here!!! the staff and management is always so interactive with guest ensuring we enjoy the meal and experience they have to offer here. they are always super attentive as well. I came to try their shabu menu and it was extremely filling, came with the normal vegetables & I think 3 rounds of high quality meat. the cocktails and drinks are super delicious as well. i always go with anything yuzu or lychee. parking is easy to find as well, always make a reservation when coming here :) the interior design is always pleasant and allows a comfortable luxurious feel and the tables are within a good distance from each other

Went here to celebrate 51 times around the solar system. And had simply the best experience ever. Every course was amazing. The servers are also your pros menu cooks. The cocktails are 5 star. I even ended up buying a bottle of limited edition markers mark whiskey made specially for their old fashioned. Have to go again!

I had the pleasure of celebrating a birthday dinner at Yakiya with a large group of 18, and from start to finish, the evening was simply unforgettable. We opted for their omakase prix fixe menu (approx. $180/person), and I can confidently say--it was worth every penny. Service & Atmosphere: The staff were exceptionally polite, attentive, and organized, seamlessly accommodating our large party. The ambiance was refined yet welcoming, and a surprising highlight was the restroom--spotless, upscale, and outfitted with a heated-seat Japanese bidet toilet. It's the small details like that which make Yakiya a cut above the rest. Drinks: I enjoyed a yuzu cocktail and a refreshing Japanese beer, both perfectly paired to complement the courses. The finale was especially unique--an after-dinner whiskey served from a charred bone, adding theatrical flair and flavor. The Courses: We were treated to around 8 exquisite rounds, with standout highlights including: * Beef Tartare Trio: A delicate amuse-bouche featuring wagyu tartare with uni, caviar, and crisp rice paper served inside a half eggshell--a beautiful presentation that set the tone. * Premium Tongue Sampler: Thinly sliced beef tongue seared tableside, with accompanying pickled vegetables and two housemade sauces (one spicy and one umami-packed green onion blend). * Marbled Wagyu & Grilling Experience: Rich cuts of A5 wagyu, kalbi, and other prime selections served over dramatic dry ice smoke, then grilled over a gold-rimmed yakiniku setup. * Bone Marrow Bibimbap: Served in a hot stone bowl with two thick cuts of roasted marrow resting over seasoned rice, topped with seaweed and spicy kimchi. Comforting, bold, and beautifully balanced. * Filet over Garlic Fried Rice: One of the most comforting bites of the evening--seared beef tenderloin atop smoky, umami-rich rice. * Citrusy Yuzu Sorbet: Light, refreshing, and floral--served in a delicate bowl with edible petals and a golden spoon to round off the meal. Each dish felt intentional and curated, blending Japanese tradition with modern presentation. While this is a higher-end experience, the quality, service, and atmosphere make Yakiya an easy recommendation for special occasions. Final Verdict: If you're looking to indulge in an upscale yakiniku experience with top-tier wagyu, stunning presentation, and hospitality that truly feels elevated, Yakiya delivers.

Ambiance: as soon as you walk in, it feels like an upscale restaurant. Especially when you use their restrooms with their high tech toilets that automatically flush for you. You can see an open kitchen and nice bar setup with the lit-up whiskies! We found out from our server, Lester, this is the high end concept from the Panda group! Aka the owners of Panda Express. Parking: Ample Food was amazing! Guaranteed to have a good meal for your special occasion, or just a Monday night. Partner doesn't like raw. You can opt for raw option or get cooked alternatives. So both of us were so happy getting our preferences! Beef tartare, Egg custard and the meat dipping sauce were some standouts. The sorbet with the basil oil, what a treat! We ordered the crispy pig ear a la carte per recommendation by our server! Service was spectacular!! Lester and other staff were so accommodating. Due to the sick season, they happened to be understaffed that night. But you can see the servers working their butt off to give quality and timely service. We had such a pleasant experience mostly impart to Lester, the staff and the delicious food!

Came here because we went to the one in Hacienda Heights when they first started. While we liked it, we wanted to see what was different about this location. The atmosphere and build out were really modern compared to the other one with hints of wood trims. I like there's basically no choice (LOL), it's a set dinner per person at $128. It comes with various dishes starting with a yuku drink as a palate cleanser (the other place had a yuzu jello that I enjoyed more). Appetizers: Smoke infused carpaccio beef and a caviar tartare tart Main: BBQ with various cuts of wagyu beef (tongue, ribeye, sirloin), mostly in small slices along with a veggie platter. Bone marrow rice topped with filet mignon Japanese wagyu (with their birth certificate) with a poached egg Ending with a surprised dessert (cant tell you) It was a fun experience, but I only took a star away because the cocktails were so expensive. I felt the meal was already quite expensive and we really wanted to drink, but at $20+ a cocktail, we only opted for 1 and a shared sake. Service could also up a notch with a little more dialogue on the dishes, but we understood she was quite new to the restaurant. The location is off East Pasadena, very close to the metro station. Plenty of parking.

Walking into Yakiya's new location felt like stepping onto a dazzling stage - sleek interiors, luxurious vibes, and the promise of culinary theater. We were eager to see how their latest offering, the highly anticipated Shabu Experience menu, would take this performance to the next level. But honestly? What unfolded felt less like Broadway and more like an offbeat rehearsal where everyone forgot their lines. Act I: The Menu Mystery Let's start with the menu. The whole "Chef's Pre-fixe Menu" idea, now adapted for their new Shabu Experience, sounds amazing on paper, but no one explained how it actually worked. Should we all order the same thing? Or mix it up? The waitstaff didn't really know either, so we were left guessing. It kind of felt like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Act II: A Restroom Odyssey This one's a head-scratcher. We showed up at 4:30 PM, and the place was basically empty, yet the restroom was out of order for almost an hour. No one gave us a reason or an alternative. It was just... unavailable. At one point, I started wondering if this was supposed to be part of the "experience." Act III: The Appetizer Surprise Before things went sideways, the appetizers brought a glimpse of hope. They were beautifully presented, almost like works of art, and the flavors were surprisingly delightful. For a brief moment, we thought this might just be the culinary journey Yakiya had promised. Unfortunately, this was more like the highlight of an opening act that the rest of the performance couldn't live up to. Act IV: Sauce Shenanigans Now for the sauces. One server brought out something and confidently called it by the wrong name. Then she came back and said, "Oh, actually, it's sesame sauce. Sorry, it's a new item!" A new item? At a place that prides itself on chef-curated perfection? The irony wasn't lost on us. Act V: The Hotpot Horror This part was almost painful. They turned on our hotpot stove - or at least they thought they did. Twenty minutes later, we realized it wasn't even on, so we just sat there waiting for lukewarm broth to do... something. By the time it finally started boiling, our patience had already boiled over. Act VI: The Dry Ice Drama Ah, the dry ice. Or, actually, the lack of it. We were supposed to get this cool smoke effect, but it never happened. For a moment, we thought the ice was edible. My wife even poked it with her chopsticks until a manager finally came over and apologized. Apparently, they "forgot" to set it up. Classic. Act VII: Meat Matters Let's talk about the meat. Most of it was, frankly, chewy and disappointing. The only highlight was the A5 Wagyu Chuck Rib, which was fantastic... but it was served in portions so tiny it felt like a teaser instead of a main event. If you're coming here hungry, good luck. Act VIII: Waiter Swap Chaos Halfway through our meal, they switched out our waiter without saying anything. This caused all sorts of confusion because we kept asking the wrong person for things, and they just stared at us like we were speaking another language. A simple heads-up would've made a world of difference. Act IX: The Space-Age Restroom Now, let's give credit where it's due: the restroom. Once it was finally available, it turned out to be one of the evening's most memorable features. The high-tech toilet felt like something out of a futuristic spaceship, complete with sleek design and functions that made it feel more luxurious than the dining experience itself. Honestly, it left us more impressed than the food. Curtain Call: A New Location Still Finding Its Footing This Yakiya location feels like it's still figuring things out, even though it's been open for a year. The service was chaotic, the details were all over the place, and the whole experience was frustrating. It's so weird because their Hacienda Heights location, which I've been to many times, is always flawless. How can the same brand feel so different? Final Bow: Room for Redemption If Yakiya's team can get their act together - better training, clearer menus, and more attention to detail - this place might actually live up to its potential. For now, though, it's more smoke than fire, and not in the way they intended. Would I come back? Only if they can bring this performance up to Yakiya's usual standards. Right now, it's a show that definitely needs a few more rehearsals.

Finally got to try this restaurant as it's been on my try list for a long time. Inside is modern minimalist decor with spacious booth seating. I like that it's a prix fix menu so I don't even have to decide what I want. Soon as we sat down and got some water the dishes start coming. They are served one at a time and each dish is picture worthy. Presentation is def something they put effort into here. All the dishes were absolutely wonderful. The bone marrow rice was so good and if all the dishes before it hadn't filled you up, the rice helps. The service was fantastic and they cook all the meat for you and explain how it should be enjoyed which is nice. One star less because we ordered alcoholic drink and didn't get it until about four dishes in. Also I'm not a big eater so I was full but others in my party were still a bit hungry after.

My first ever omakase of any sort, and it's at Yakiya! I came in with no expectations but came out with lots of rave about this place. First off, reservations were easy at resy.com. Came on a Friday night, and free parking - super easy to park in an open lot. You may miss the opening at night, so just drive slow. The ambiance was modern, classy yet smart casual. We looked at the menu and there were 2 options available. The hotpot or wagyu bbq, we opted for the bbq. We wanted to place drink orders but weren't asked until 2 courses later, which was weird but that can all be overlooked because we were in for a wonderful experience. I love from start to finish, they explained each course and Lester, our server, went above and beyond. He is very knowledgeable and very easy-going as a server. He was at the top of his game. Our favorite was the wagyu ribeye with the poached egg.. but we enjoyed all the courses, even the raw vegetables! If you have an allergy, they can also customize your course. We enjoyed the bone marrow shots and complimentary yuzu lemonade drinks! Also that sesame ice cream?? Icing on the cake. I would buy a pint to go home if they have it avail lol. Although the price is steep, it is worth every penny. I would love to come here again for a celebration or just to enjoy time with family or friends.

Came back to try the new shabu menu and was definitely not disappointed. The broth was very mild and tame allowing the flavor of the beef to shine. The seafood palate was so delicious too. Shoutout to all the staff here for providing a spectacular experience.

I think the new lunch weekend special is a worthwhile deal at $48 a person. It includes five courses, and it was just enough for me to be full without overdoing it. I've been going to Yakiya ever since their first location grand opened and have been back periodically. This is my first time at this location, but it definitely gives the same exact vibes as the other one. Overall, the food and service are strong, and I would definitely consider coming back for dinner as well.

Finally got to have dinner here and it did not disappoint. The food was perfect and I really enjoyed the cadence in which the food was presented and served. The tasting menu had a great combination of hot and cold items, and the quality of the meat was such a happy experience. I personally loved the decor and it definitely created an environment that felt like I was enjoying a little more luxury for the night. The service was amazing and our waiter was really knowledge and really made us feel welcome. It's a pricey dinner but like my dad always says, if you think it's worth it then it is!

Made a last minute reservation, literally 30 minutes before, for a 7:30 PM reservation on a Wednesday night, and boy am I glad I did. Brought my lady and my mom to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. To my surprise, we were the only diners. We were seated by Jason (one of the managers), who ended up doing almost EVERYTHING. I mean cocktails, cooking the meats, servicing drinks, this man was a jack of all trades. Hats off to you Jason for the amazing service and night to remember. The food was truly amazing. The drinks were spectacular. I really liked how they presented their dishes with the smoke/dry ice. You can tell a lot of thought and training goes into this. I really have nothing bad to say as I couldn't find a single flaw. I would strongly recommend anyone to come and celebrate something special.. Perhaps it was a bit odd that we were the only diners on a Wednesday Night. I truly hope this place makes it long term not only because they deserve it, but I can tell a lot of capital has been put in upfront. If you look at the decor or even the stacked bar, everything is luxury and high-end. I suspect it was empty because it is costly to dine like this frequently, maybe they'll come out with a really great happy hour. Complimentary Parking is available and plentiful within the back. I will surely be back.

We tried the $48 lunch course available on weekends. It came with a crab salad, beef tartare, chawanmushi, 3 pieces of beef to grill, tiny bowl of bone marrow fried rice, and a mini scoop of sorbet. While the whole meal was decadent, we left still hungry. Crab salad - ok Beef tartare - flavors didn't mesh together very well Chawanmushi - I have never had one with absolutely nothing in it. We kept digging and digging and it really was just egg. Not even a piece of mushroom. Most disappointing dish. Grilled beef - all 3 pieces were good, but the a5 was too fatty. It definitely needed an egg to dip it in Bone marrow fried rice - flavorful, but the portion is way too little Sorbet with basil oil - good The decor is nice and elegant. The service was good but really slow. They start every table that orders the same set at the same exact time and the next dish comes out the same time for everyone. There was 1 server grilling for 3 tables and we were the last table, so we had to wait awhile for the server to come grill. We've had the full course at the other location before and I remember it being a great experience and we left full. I wouldn't come back for the lunch menu since we left hungry and unsatisfied. Lots of parking in this plaza.

A solid 4.5 star! Made a reservation through Resy for lunch on a Sunday. They currently have the lunch menu set for $48 per person and they also have the dinner menu available during lunch as well at $128 per person. I got the lunch set and added chunk rib and hot green tea on the side. Out of all the dishes, I really like the bone marrow rice. The sauce they use has a super umami flavor and it goes so well with the mushroom and bone marrow. Every bite was perfect! The meats are pretty solid but it wasn't completely "melt in your mouth" experience that I hoped for. Presentation was amazing! Great atmosphere and service was on point! There's plenty of parking in the plaza. Overall a pretty solid spot to try!

Came to this location for the first time for lunch. Ambiance and decor is very similar to the Hacienda location. We ordered the regular menu but noticed that it was inferior to the original location. Don't get me wrong, everything was delicious! But wasn't like omg this is amazing - which has been our consistent reaction at the Hacienda spot. Where it does win is their service - far superior. From my sister's pregnancy needs to my nephew's dietary restrictions, they went above and beyond for us.

Excellent customer service. I was greeted by multiple people. I didn't have reservations. I heard about this restaurant and wanted to check it out. Everyone was so nice and tried to accommodate me. I ended up being seated at the bar and ordered a la carte. The ambiance was nice. Not too loud and not so quiet that you can hear a pin drop. The bartender and the host were both very attentive. They both explained every dish that was served. They provided their recommendations as well. The drinks were delicious. I had the Skytree and the Pagoda. Be careful not to drink too fast because you can't taste the alcohol at first. They gave me a tasting of Yakiya's very own Maker's Mark. It was very flavorful and I'm usually not a fan of Maker's Mark because I always thought that it was too sweet. This one paired with the bone marrow fried rice had an explosion of flavors. The sashimi was very fresh. I preferred my scallops touched or seared, but that's just my preference. There was nothing wrong with how the restaurant presented it. I got the prime ribeye. It's the perfect portion to taste and you can try another cut on the menu without being full off of one piece. The ribeye was very tender, juicy, and flavorful as well. The bone marrow fried rice was delicious! I couldn't finish it so I had to take it home. The sake sorbet with basil oil and white chocolate ball were perfect to end the meal. I would definitely return and make a reservation for the full tasting menu.

I visited Yakiya on a weekday for a work dinner and while reservations are recommended I think you could just walk in. The Menu is courses and it starts off with a raw tasting and cooked beef on the 2nd half. Each course ranges from a single bite to a few bites. You really get a wide variety of cuts and from lean to fatty meat. Each cut of meat is cooked by the staff and you get to just sit back and enjoy the experience. Interior is new and comfortable. Overall it's a great experience I would definitely recommend.

My ravenous is killing me! I must confess I still believe! When I think about it I lose my mind now that is a sign! So then Hit me Baby! One more Time! Yes, Yakiya has done it once again and the same elevated experience I had from the first location was duplicated here at their second spot. The chef's prefix menu came with grade freak-a-licious A cuts of beef from Japan. What I love about this experience is that they grill your cuts for you to ensure that you get the maximum flavor they want you to have. The ambiance is chill and the aesthetics have a luxurious feel with leather, wood and brass. The service was on point and I also forgot to mention the smoke free vents so you don't come out smelling like you were the one on the grill. And that's my take on this spot, Peace

Wonderful courses, drinks and service! The aesthetics of each item was well created. All staff is well trained, friendly and attentive. So glad they opened one closer to my home.

I think Yakiya is a great place for any casual celebration, but I would 100% say I am mostly paying for the amazing service and environment. Food: At Yakiya, there isn't a menu. Everyone gets the same set menu. Everything was always very nicely plated and they have really nice lighting inside the restaurant for pictures. However, I would say certain items were better than others. I think the meat was really good quality, but not the best I've ever had. Portions are a bit small but by the end of the meal, I was definitely full. Service: I came to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Not only did they acknowledge this in the beginning, they also made an effort to make him feel so special on his birthday. At the end of the service, they even gave him a small dessert that had a piece of chocolate say "Happy Birthday Kenndrick". We also ordered some cocktail and although it wasn't our favorite and we didn't complain about it. Our waiter noticed we did not touch it and offered to make us a better one without charging the first one. I am so pleased by the attention to detail during this meal! Ambiance: The interior is beautiful and everything about the restaurant was amazing. Honestly, even the restroom was nice. They literally had the Japanese toilets where you are about to play music. I honestly have no complaints at all

Pretty good been too many times! they need to upgrade more new courses! Overall, it's good!

就像夜空裡的星星，我們都有照亮別人的能力， 千萬別小看自己，而每一個微笑的背後， 藏著都是對生活的熱愛，即使這個世界再喧擾，也別忘了妳迷人的微笑～ 生日快到了，這次是我這輩子第一次生日，要請人家吃飯， 去年學姐生日她堅持請我，所以今年帶她來 Yakiya , Pasadena 新開的這家，那麼早來是因為他們8月份有折扣， 星期一到四 本來128 一個人的變成 88 一個人， 所以兩個人加稅加小費可以省100 元左右， Yakiya, 我來過很多很多很多次了， 東西還是一樣精緻，小巧， 有模有樣的一小道一小道的上，問題也是出在 東西就都一樣， 從他們開門2016， 2017到現在，菜單幾乎完全一樣，都沒變， 唯一不同的是好像加了道小小的生魚片， that's it, 以前帶小孩去吃， 他們沒吃飽， 吃完還去 對面85 C 買麵包， 上禮拜過去，我居然吃不完， 最後的牛骨髓炒飯 ， 跟幾塊肉我還帶回家了， 難道是老了， 胃口變小了， 吃不了這麼多了 最後要提一下， 只給四顆星是我們的服務員， 態度不是太好， 雖然都在幫我們烤肉， 可是明顯的感覺出， 不是太喜歡我們的感覺，唉， 不然其他的都沒啥好挑剔的了！

One of my favorite restaurants! Service is absolutely incredible. Love that this location offers shabu, a la carte options, lunch on the weekends and yakiniku. Parking is easy, restaurant is spacious, and food is fireeeeeee! Definitely the place to bring a date, celebrate a special occasion, or even for a casual treat yourself night out. Shoutout to Lester, Jordan, and TJ for their outstanding service. Will definitely be back!

Calidad de la comida: ¡Excelente! Sabor: Delicioso. Precio: Caro. Servicio: A veces excelente, a veces decente. Baño: Sí. ¿Pero está limpio? Sí. Ambiente: ¿Poco iluminado, romántico? Código de vestimenta: Mayormente informal. Reservas: ¡Fáciles! Aparcamiento: Muy fácil. ¿Ideal para grupos? Si el grupo es pequeño. ¿Volverías? ¡Sí! ¿Recomendado? ¡Por supuesto! ¿Incluso a ese precio? Sí... :^D

Had the opportunity to send out kids to a camp for the night, so my wife and I went to Yakiya for dinner. This is a set menu for a set price, and the whole meal is very well orchestrated. They clearly have perfected all the dishes, and the presentation for each. Service was great, as should be expected for a restaurant like this. It is the same owners as Panda, but clearly a very elevated experience. All of the food was delicious, service was great, and the restaurant was very nice. The ambiance for the restaurant fit the food and style. For the volume of courses that they had, it was not overly full due to the small portions. It may have been better to have at least one dish that is almost just a "filler" so that diners are full when they leave. Glad that we tried it out, and I would recommend it for a special occasion. Until next time!

The service here was amazing! Shoutout to the wonderful manager, Jason. He was very attentive! The food was so yummy. I liked every single item they brought out. I lost count of how many I ate that night. We got the shabu experience. I'm going to try the bbq one next time. The ambiance was awesome as well. The decor shows that someone put a lot of thought into it. Even the bathroom was cool. The toilet lid was down and as I walked up about to use it. It opens up and it's one of those fancy bidet toilet.

We came here to celebrate my dad's birthday and it was an awesome experience! The service was extremely attentive and friendly and even noticed that my dad loved the dodgers and came out with a dodgers and happy birthday design on dessert. All the courses were beautifully presented and the server was so considerate and kind about all the pictures my mom and I took . Everything was so good as it every cut of meat felt premium. The server cooked to perfection right in front of us and thoroughly explained each dish we were eating which made the experience feel so special! Overall, it's a hefty price tag but worth it for the experience and great food,

Long overdue review! Boyfriend made reservations at Yakiya for our anniversary a few months ago and it was one of our favorite dining experiences together. Everything from start to finish was excellent, both food and service. We're provided with a personalized menu (which I still have) which helped so we could follow along the for the evening. Everything on the menu was delicious, but my favorites were the bluefin tuna tartelette, wagyu short rib, filet mignon board (various pieces), and bone marrow kimchi fried rice. Little things like wishing us happy anniversary, happy anniversary signage with our dessert, and even our names on the printed menu made this even more special! Would highly recommend if you're looking for a special place to celebrate or want a great dining experience.

I have to admit that I was unprepared for the culinary experience we had. We stumbled onto this place accidentally and booked a table for the following evening. First, service, was outstanding. Every single employee was fantastic. Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. If you are in any way a whiskey fan, you have to come here and check out the bar. Onto the food. Oh boy, a 15 course expedition of what Japans culinary bbq is all about. From the tuna tartare to the Wagyu beef, it was divine. The setting is open, casual and inviting. The two of us sat at an open table that could hold 4, 6 or 8. Do yourself a favor and experience this Pasadena treasure

The Pasadena location is beautiful! Having been to the Rowland location before I already know the food won't disappoint, but we were all impressed by the beautiful decor. We came here to celebrate both of my parents birthday, and the service was superb! They both got whiskey bone marrow shots as a surprise birthday treat, such a fun experience! Overall the food was amazing, and I think it's a good value for the quality of the meat!! Plenty of parking in the lot, the restaurant was pretty quiet on a Sunday night.

Wow!! Literally amazing & worth it! Loved every course certain things I don't usually care for as much (tongue & uni - I'm being honest don't hate on me! ) were spectacular!! Literally you could serve me 14 of every course! The service and attention were amazing! We decided it was happy hour and needed to try half their cocktail menu, no regrets! Went to culver city for a fancy bday meal 3xs the cost of this one about a month ago - the meal here won. We were making plans to come back DURING the meal! Come by to impress a nice date or just come by like I did in yoga pants and a soccer jersey! But to be honest the place deserves you dressing up and enjoooooying! The people serving were personable & great with the recommendations! I don't know why this place isn't packed but kinda glad it's slept on for now.